A five-try first half display by Bradford Bulls helped snap a seven-match losing streak with a 32-22 victory over Castleford Tigers. Bulls had dropped to the bottom of the Betfred Super League table with a lengthy winless run which stretched back to July 10, but they were 18-0 up by the 19 minute mark after early scores for Riley Dean, Connor Wynne and Caleb Aekins. Dan Russell and Waqa Blake added further tries before the break and whilst Tigers briefly railed, Ebon Scurr grabbed a sixth effort for the hosts after 52 minutes to keep alive Bulls' hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon ahead of next Thursday's season finale at 13th-placed York.
Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty revealed this week his team had discussed the prospect of finishing bottom and it appeared to spark an instant response, with Dean able to run the ball in under the posts after five minutes. Wynne dived over in the corner eight minutes later before Aekins finished off and even though Louis Senior got Tigers off the mark, Bulls ended the half with a bang when Chris Atkin sent over Russell for a 34th-minute score and Blake then beat the hooter. It earned Bulls a healthy 26-4 half-time advantage which was quickly reduced when Krystian Mapapalangi successfully latched onto a grubber kick, but Scurr bundled over from close range to provide further delight for the home fans at Odsal Stadium.
Atkin kicked a fourth conversion before the Tigers claimed consolations through Alex Mellor and Mapapalangi, but Bulls would not be denied and eased to a first home victory in three months. Bottom-of-the-table Bulls have drawn level on 14 points with York, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC, but the trio are in action across this weekend before the regular Super League season concludes next week. Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live.
The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.
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